Page 31 of Bad at Love

“Like what?”

“Oh, I don’t know. There’s an action—”

“Don’t do action.”

She frowns at me, carefully getting up from the chair. “Do you even like movies?”

“I like documentaries and dramas. Comedies sometimes. Nothing with gore.”

“You work with blood.”

“That doesn’t mean I want to see someone gutted and choked with their entrails.”

“Fair point.” She nods slowly. “How about dinner?”

I hold my breath, watching her for a long moment. She doesn’t give up. Maybe this is what I need? Maybe all this confusion with Storm, and all these inappropriate things I’ve been feeling, are just my body telling me something. It reacted similarly when I saw Tara come out of the shower, or accidentally walked in on her changing. It’s a natural human response. I am at the age of marriage and having children, and maybe that’s what my body is trying to tell me.

I can’t imagine marrying or having children with Wendy. She’s too… Well, she’s just too much like a cocker spaniel. My family would approve of nothing less than a poodle, which is exactly what Tara was. Perfect makeup, not a chipped nail or hair out of place.

“I’m sorry, but I’m seeing someone.”

Where the heck did that come from? I shake my head and take the seat she vacated.

“Oh, my—I’m sorry, I had no idea.”

“Why would you?” I say over my shoulder, giving her a smile.

Her smile is sad as she gathers her things. “Have a good shift.”

“You too.”

She hurries out the door.

You too?Did I really say that?

The first hour of work goes by quickly. There was an influx of patients who needed blood work, but now that it’s slowed, I find myself distracted, which isn’t like me. My hyper-fixations sometimes make focusing a struggle, but work usually overrides all hyper-fixations because it is thetophyper-fixation. But for some reason, I can’t stop thinking of Storm.

Staring at my phone, I wonder if I should… I pick up my phone and send him a text. Maybe this will ease my mind.

Hello.

After sending it, I put my phone down, but it buzzes immediately, so I pick it back up. It’ll be impossible to work if I don’t know what his response is.

Hello?

How are you?

Fine. How are you?

Is everything okay?

You never text me. Like ever.

Everything is fine. I was just wondering what you were doing.

The bubbles bounce then stop. Bounce again. Stop again. This goes on for a full minute, so I put my phone down and get up to check the samples that are waiting. When I return, I have another text.

Getting ready to visit my mother. Are you sure you’re okay?

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